Cal defenseless against UCLA, losing 31-14

In one of the most mortifying and mystifying games of the Jeff Tedford era, a Cal team with everything to play for against a seemingly reeling UCLA squad instead produced a result that called into question the Bears' resolve and preparation.

With Zach Maynard possibly playing his way out of the starting quarterback job with four interceptions, the Bears were humbled by the Bruins 31-14 Saturday night at the Rose Bowl.

"Something isn't right," defensive end Trevor Guyton said. "Reality check: Maybe we got too high on ourselves after the Utah win. We got brought back to earth pretty quick. We got embarrassed by a team like this. It's a game we should have won. We got beat on both ends of the ball. There's no excuse for it.

"We're a better team than we showed tonight."

After this Bruin beatdown, Cal is a 4-4 team, with all four losses in Pac-12 play representing a damning indictment of the level of talent, preparation and commitment in Tedford's program.

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince, left, rushes by California defensive back Sean Cattouse (11) and defensive back Stefan McClure (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas) less

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince, left, rushes by California defensive back Sean Cattouse (11) and defensive back Stefan McClure (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, ... more

Photo: Gus Ruelas, AP

Photo: Gus Ruelas, AP

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UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince, left, rushes by California defensive back Sean Cattouse (11) and defensive back Stefan McClure (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas) less

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince, left, rushes by California defensive back Sean Cattouse (11) and defensive back Stefan McClure (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, ... more

Photo: Gus Ruelas, AP

Cal defenseless against UCLA, losing 31-14

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Though too much attention - praise or condemnation in equal measure - is often directed at a starting quarterback, in Cal's case, it's warranted. Maynard has some talent, but he is not progressing in either his mechanics or execution; in all four conference defeats, he has showed why Alabama head coach Nick Saban had no scholarship offer for him while he was recruiting Maynard's brother, wide receiver Keenan Allen.

Maynard completed 14 of 30 passes for 199 yards and was sacked three times, the pressure UCLA brought partially explaining those four interceptions. Safety Tevin McDonald, son of former 49ers defensive back Tim McDonald, had a career night with three of UCLA's four picks.

After the game, Tedford said the quarterback position will be evaluated, meaning he will at least consider playing backup Allan Bridgford on Saturday against Washington State.

"We'll look at the tape and make a determination on that," Tedford said. "Turnovers killed us. I don't care who you play, you can't turn the ball over. It was a step back. You can't turn the ball over."

Said Maynard: "It's coach Tedford's decision. I'm not the head coach. I prepare to the best of my ability and get ready for the next competition."

Maynard has proven to be an inaccurate quarterback since the start of the season. His first two interceptions came on passes badly overthrown. His third was the result of the ball glancing off Allen's hands into the hands of a grateful and well positioned McDonald.

With the picks went any chance Cal had of playing on an equal footing with UCLA. By the end of the game, Cal's 7-0 lead in the first quarter was a distant memory, obliterated by the Bruins' 31-7 run the rest of the way.

Counting a fumbled exchange between Maynard and tailback Isi Sofele in the second quarter, the Bruins reaped 24 points off Cal turnovers. Even a team with six players suspended for this game, as UCLA was, would have a hard time not winning when handed five turnovers.

The Bruins got 17 of their turnover-generated points from deep in Cal territory, starting at the 15-, 19- and 20-yard lines. Running back Derrick Coleman, a 240-pounder, shredded the Bears for touchdown runs of 20 and 24 yards.

Then there was Prince, averaging 8.6 yards per carry and finding the ends wide open. Cal coaches and players said there was a plan for him, but if that's the case, it went horribly awry.

"We knew we were going to get their best shot," safety Sean Cattouse said. "We didn't take it for granted. As players, we need to raise our level of play."

With Cal finishing the schedule against Stanford and Arizona State, a second straight losing season is a strong possibility unless the Bears defeat Washington State and Oregon State the next two weeks.

"We've still got a lot of football left," Tedford said. "By no means are you going to fold the tent and say the season's over. That would be ridiculous. We took a step back today."

Many steps, in fact - enough to question whether this team is in retreat.